NOTEBOOK: Mathews returns, learns

For the first time in more than a month, he will wake up Monday feeling at least a little pain. And that will make him smile again.

“There are plays you can build upon,” Mathews said after running 16 times for 65 yards and a touchdown. “There were plays where I missed some holes by prejudging where I wanted to go … I left some yardage out there.

“The main thing going out there was to learn as much as I can. I've been out for five or so weeks. My main thing is to learn. I think I learned a lot.”

The Chargers’ first-round draft pick did not play the first two weeks after the Chargers’ bye, his high ankle sprain having been aggravated Nov. 7 at Houston. He was active last week but did not play. In all, due to the injury and also his mistakes fumbling and in pass protection, Mathews had missed the equivalent of five games going into Sunday.

Mathews has remained philosophical about his rookie season.

“I know what I can do,” he said Sunday. “Obviously, the organization knows what I can do. You can't be great in one day … I'm still learning. The more time I get, the more reps I get -- and being able to watch (Mike) Tolbert and (Darren) Sproles is helping out a lot.”

The Chargers on Sunday ran a season-high 43 times for 207 yards, their most since 2008. Tolbert also carried 16 times for one more yard than Mathews and a touchdown, and Sproles ran six times for 53 yards.

Mathews got the start, and he and Tolbert ostensibly alternated series. Mathews fought for extra yards throughout, showing why the Chargers believe he will be a star. His touchdown came on a 15-yard run around the end in the fourth quarter.

“I was happier for his touchdown than mine,” Tolbert said. “… I can't wait to see what he does once he gets going."

Gates being realistic

Tight end Antonio Gates didn’t even test his ailing right foot before Sunday’s game. He was sure after he couldn’t practice Friday that he would sit Sunday.

“This week it didn’t feel right,” Gates said after not playing for the third time in the past five games but the first time in the past three. “I didn’t feel I would be able to contribute.”

Gates, still the Chargers’ leading receiver, acknowledged again he is uncertain he will finish the season due to the painful plantar fascia tear in his right foot.

“I’ve always been week to week, up and down,” Gates said. “Over time I’m going to have make a decision … Does it make it difficult for the coaches to put the proper gameplan together? I don’t know. I think that’s something we will definitely talk about this week.

“I’m going to take another look at it, see how I feel going into this Thursday night game. If not, I’m going to try to get an estimate how much time I need to get back healthy. If that’s two weeks, four weeks, that remains to be seen whether or not I should make some decision about finishing the season or continuing to try to fight through this injury.”